unable to acces certain control panels from admin account

eyeland said:

yearh, you're probably right..
RIght-clicking "computer" brings up the normal contextmenu, yet it is missing "properties"... list simply ends after "rename"... I guess a clean wipe is in order.
I have several reasons for running the tweakprograms.
1. habit :) These programs have enabled me to truly save systems that seemed beyond repair (xp and vista, didn't know that 7 was fundamentally different in relation to reg)
2. styling/tweaking. Some of these apps allow me to personalize certain features easily rather than having to use regedit (like changing logonscreen, adding "take ownership" and such. I have been using these apps for years without ever running into any issues of this sort.
I guress I'll do a clean install when I have time..

Have you tried creating a new admin account, then trying to access those items from the new account? I would turn off all tweak software first (not referring to reputable reg edits like takeownership, logon screen, etc).

Also, you may want to download and run malwarebytes just to cover the bases.

James

as expected, logging on with the "hidden" admin account, "properties" is NOT missing

James: "Have you tried creating a new admin account, then trying to access those items from the new account?"

OP: "I have tried creating a new admin user from which all the CP works fine."

Sorry, not much of a forumgeek, didn't take time to learn the proper way of quoting :) will do :)

eyeland said:

"Have you tried creating a new admin account, then trying to access those items from the new account?"

"I have tried creating a new admin user from which all the CP works fine."

Oh, I missed that. That being the case, after a malwarebytes scan (the missing fonts sounds suspicious...), i would try a clean boot troubleshoot:

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

If that doesn't resolve the problem, I would then create a new account, either rebuilding it or using Easy Transfer to selectively transfer settings. If you are willing to put the time in, you could also use this as a troubleshooting method of sorts, i.e., selective E.T. until the problem is resolved.

You could also do a repair install, which you could create from within Win7 (assuming the system you're posting from is Win7) or via a download, both procedures outlined here:

System Repair Disc - Create

Apologies if you've tried these already and/or I've missed something more in your posts.

James

Thanks James, will look into your suggestions and get back to you.
I am sure that I reinstall would be the easies, I just wanted to fix the issue to learn :)
I really want an Ubuntu/seven dualsetup anyways :)
Just updated my profile to reflect my current setup, seven 64 OEM

SOLVED:
MBAM found this reg key which turned out to be the problem:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoPropertiesMyComputer
Yay :)
god knows where it came from :)

eyeland said:

SOLVED:
MBAM found this reg key which turned out to be the problem:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoPropertiesMyComputer
Yay :)
god knows where it came from :)

btw, this was the ONLY thing it found.. any idea as to its origin?
tweakapp or malware/virus?
seems like a rather useless feature for a virus to blockseeing as no changes where made to DEP or the likes whereas it COULD be handy for some admins to deny "lowlvl" users the option of changing these features?
regardless, a day "well spend"... "live2learn2live etc"
Now on with the show gonna start playing around with the new Ubuntu
Hugz and non-homo-erotic kisses to the guys who helped getting me on the right track :)

eyeland said:

btw, this was the ONLY thing it found.. any idea as to its origin?
tweakapp or malware/virus?

I'd guess a tweak.

James